It might come as a surprise, but did you know that your home is full of composites? From glass to fences, we are surrounded by composite material. Understanding composites and how they can improve your home can help you make smarter decisions when you purchase that are eco-friendlier too! Let’s dive deep into what a composite is and look at some of the most common composites in your home.

What is a Composite?

Before we get into some of the most common composites in your home, let’s break down what a composite is. Simply enough, a composite material is an engineered chemical mixture. If you love reducing, reusing, and recycling, composite materials are made by combining two or more materials (sometimes eco-friendly ones) to make material to make products.

When thinking about composites in an eco-friendly framework, according to Energy.gov, by implementing composites materials into the production mainstream, composites can lower production costs and help move the world towards cleaner air. In the same way, the use of composite materials in the production of wind turbines has made them more durable, lightweight, and last longer.

Fiberglass

One of the most common examples of a composite in your home is fiberglass! Made from Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP), fiberglass is lightweight and sheer. Fiberglass has replaced our need for wood molds and composites will not rot or corrode after time until wood will. And since fiberglass doesn’t rely on wood, it saves trees too!

Want to learn more about what makes F.R.P. composites so useful? Check out our infographic below:

If you can believe it, window frames can also be made with composite material. Traditionally, window frames are made from aluminum which is naturally conductive of heat. Fiberglass reinforced composites are not thermally conductive which prevents heat loss in the winter and heat gain within your home in the summer. Switching your windows to composite materials isn’t just eco-friendly, it will save you money too!

Hot Tubs and Shower Stalls

Most above-ground hot tubs today are made with fiberglass composites. First, a sheet of acrylic plastic is vacuumed to form the shape of the hot tub, then the backside of the sheet is layered with fiber glass to give your hot tub additional strength. In the same way, fiberglass showerheads are made with polyester resin mixed with woven glass fibers. Newer shower stalls are more energy efficient and are built to conserve water!

Fences

Many homeowners are choosing to install composite fences. Traditionally, fences are made with wooden materials. Composite materials within fences are stronger, waterproof, and more weatherproof than ever before. Lastly, composite fences are made of 100% recycled materials which makes this household item an eco-friendly choice.

In the end, composite materials are all around us! Whether you’re showering or you’re soaking in your hot tub, composites are eco-friendly and a better choice than traditional plastics. If you’re looking to support composites in all ways, National Composites Week takes place in August, which aims to raise awareness about this powerful material! Support composites today!

Santanna Energy Services is a supplier of renewable energy solutions in the United States, providing services to Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. We provide a wide range of energy services and products to meet the needs of both residential and small business customers. Our mission is to provide innovative and cost-effective energy solutions that will help our customers achieve their energy goals. With over 35 years of experience, we are committed to creating life-long relationships by providing quality service to customers, communities, and employees.